17th FEBRUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. MoU between Botanical Survey of India and Natural History Museum, UK

  

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Natural History Museum (NHM), UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of genetic/taxonomic studies, research and training, conservation in India, including species and habitat conservation assessments, etc. 

• NHM will help BSI in capacity building in areas of systematic botany and long-term conservation of plant genetic resources in India.

2. ISRO planning to launch Chandrayaan-2 mission around April this year

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch Chandrayan-2 Mission around April this year.

• Chandrayaan-2 is the country's second mission to the moon, he added.
• He was addressing a press conference on the achievements of Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy. 
• Chandraayan-2 is a challenging mission as for the first time we will carry an orbiter, a lander and a rover to the moon.

3. National Conference “Agriculture 2022- Doubling Farmers’ Income”

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) is organizing a National Conference under the title of “Agriculture 2022 – Doubling Farmers’ Income” at National Agriculture Science Complex (NASC), Pusa, New Delhi. 

• It is a two days conference scheduled on 19th and 20th February, 2018.
• The Conference is being organized on the advice of the Hon’ble Prime Minister with a view to identify various critical issues relating to agriculture and farmers’ welfare and finding appropriate solutions.
• The main aim of the conference is to build a consensus around appropriate recommendations that will help in shaping and sharpening the vision of the Government on Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022 into actionable points.

4. Mumbai to have India’s first artificial intelligence centre

In a first in the country, Maharashtra government will be setting up an institute for artificial intelligence (AI) in Mumbai.

• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will unveil the plan for the institute during the Magnetic Maharashtra Summit.
• The Magnetic Maharashtra Summit will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 18.

5. SBI launches Global NRI Centre in Kochi

The State Bank of India, which has a strong NRI customer base of over 33 lakh, has launched its Global NRI Centre (GNC) in Kochi.

• The GNC will be a one-stop customer service centre for all Non-Resident Indian (NRI) banking related services.
• To enhance the service experience of NRIs, the bank also launched other services such as Wealth Management, SBI Intelligent Assist, Free Post Box Service, SBI Mingle for NRIs and Remittance facility for US-based customers.

6. Milkbasket recognised as 'Startup of the Year' 2017

Milkbasket, India’s first and largest micro-delivery platform has been recognised as 'Startup of the Year' 2017 at the 7th Small Business Awards.

• The Startup of the Year award is dedicated to young SMEs, aged 7 years or less, with great potential to become big in local/international markets.
• Launched in early 2015, Milkbasket is India’s first and largest daily micro-delivery service.

7. Haruhiko Kuroda reappointed as Bank of Japan chief

Japan's government has reappointed Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda for another term and chose Masazumi Wakatabe as his deputies.

• The selection of the new BOJ leadership comes at a crucial time for Japanese and global markets, which have been rattled in recent weeks.

8. Aadhaar awarded as the ‘Best Emerging Technology’

India’s Aadhaar and Umang App have won awards at recently concluded World Government Summit 2018 in Dubai.

• Umang App won in Best m-Government Service Award for Accessible Government Category and Aadhaar won in the Best Government Emerging Technologies Award.
• The awards were presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of UAE Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

9. Sanjiv Bajaj is the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017

Sanjiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv, has been named the Earnest Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2017.

• Dr. E Sreedharan was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for transforming the face of public transportation in India.

10. Federer becomes oldest ATP World No.1

Roger Federer added yet another record to his vast collection when he become the oldest ATP world number one by beating Dutchman Robin Haase 4-6 6-1 6-1 to reach the semi-finals in Rotterdam.

• Federer took a wildcard into the ABN AMRO World Tennis event with his eyes fixed on a return to number one for the first time since November 2012.